Police Chief Vows To Get Tough on Pedophiles

Bali's Police Chief, Brigadier General Budi Setyawan has pledged to increase the seriousness with which his department confronts pedophilic crime on the island.

As a first step in curbing the sexual abuse of under-aged children, Bali's top cop has stated that he will issue a written order to all his subordinates directing them to cooperate with local non-governmental agencies, such as the Committee Against Sexual Abuse (CASA). This pledge was made in a meeting with Professor Dr. Luh Ketut Suryani who led a delegation from CASA on a visit to the Chief of Police on Thursday, September 12, 2002.

As a further step to eliminate pedophilic practice on the island, Brigadier General Setyawan said he would endeavor to send information on those pedophiles convicted by the courts in Bali to the country of national origin of the offenders.

He also called on local community members to be aware of the threat of pedophiles operating in their areas, reporting to police any suspicious situations. Unfortunately, according to Setyawan, some pedophile rings have managed to gain access to remote impoverished sections of Bali by posing as representatives of philanthropic organizations. (KOMPAS)